Maiden TSL premiership the goal for Team of the Year skipper Lachie Clifford

While he may have been named captain of the TSL’s team of the year, Kingborough skipper Lachie Clifford’s focus remains on team success.

Lachie Clifford has been named captain of the TSL’s Team of the Year after a stellar season for Kingborough. Picture: Linda Higginson

While incredibly proud to be named captain in the TSL’s team of the year, Kingborough skipper Lachie Clifford is squarely focused on achieving the ultimate team success in eight days’ time.

The tough as nails ball magnet earned his first team of the year selection following an ultra-consistent 2023 where he has averaged 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions, eight clearances and 110 ranking points across 17 games.

TSL Team of the Year for 2023. Picture: Supplied.

Clifford was one of six Tigers selected in the team with Ben Donnelly, Elijah Reardon, Jack Tomkinson and Kieran Lovell also in the starting 18 and Eddie Cole named on the bench.

Preliminary final opponents North Launceston (five) and Clarence (four) also enjoyed strong representation with Brad Cox-Goodyer named coach and Sam Siggins the vice-captain.

But after securing a direct passage through to the grand final following a convincing 36-point win in last Saturday’s qualifying final over North Launceston, Clifford said captaining the Tigers to a maiden TSL premiership next Saturday would mean far more than an individual accolade.

“Yeah it’s nice to be recognised,” Clifford said.

“It’s been an enjoyable year and it’s good to get some personal recognition but at the end of the day I’m focused on next week’s grand final and trying to go one better than last year.

“We lost a lot of key personal at the end of last season with guys like Jordan Lane, Luke Graham, Sam Duigan and Zach Adams so for James Webb, Murray Bastick, James Zietzen and Jake Williams, among others, to come in and play roles throughout the year for us has been incredibly important.

“It’s been a super effort from the entire group.”

While he’s been highly regarded as one of the competition’s best midfielders since taking on the Tigers captaincy, Clifford’s form this season will no doubt have him feature high up in Monday night’s Alastair Lynch medal count.

“I’d probably say it’s been my most consistent year,” Clifford said.

Clifford finished with 33 disposals and nine clearances in the qualifying final win over North Launceston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Last few years I’ve probably played good footy in stages but haven’t been able to put it together for longer periods of time like I have this season. That was definitely a goal heading into the year.

“It’s probably a combination of losing that grand final last year and just my continued development.

“You don’t want to lose any grand final you are in so the drive to get back and go one better is obviously there and I think the more TSL footy you play the more development you are going to have so it’s probably a mix of both.”